Environmental Education School Groups
and Adult Programs
School Group Reservations
The Outdoor education staff at Gibson Woods Environmental Awareness Center offers a variety of reserve group programs. All programs include an indoor presentation and outdoor activity, so groups should dress weather appropriate.
Reserved programs are tailored to suit the age, experience and grade curriculum of individual groups. All programs include an indoor presentation and an outdoor activity. Dress for the weather.
All programs are $2 per person including adults with a $20 minimum per group. Pre-school programs are 1 hour with a 20-student maximum. Groups K-12 programs are 1½ hours with a 40-student maximum. Registration and deposit are required at least 10 days in advance by calling 219-769-PARK. For program content information call Gibson Woods Nature Preserve at 219-844-3188.
| Program | Into the Woods | Aquatic Ecology | Tree Identification |
| Season | All Year | Spring | Fall |
| Grades | All | 3 and up | 3 and up |
| Description | Provides an overview of the Gibson Woods Nature Preserve. Emphasizes endangered animals, habitat, and conservation. A chance to meet some live animals and hike in the woods. | Go beyond fish and frogs to search for all organisms hidden in the water. Learn about food webs and the importance of aquatic organisms. | It takes more than a leaf to identify a tree. Learn the essentials of tree identification that will turn tree I.D. from impossible to easy. |
Attention Citizen Scientists
Gibson Woods will host training workshops for citizen scientists in cooperation with several agencies. Learn how to take an active role in the stewardship of your community by monitoring natural resources and wildlife. Experience is not necessary, training will be provided.
Butterfly Monitoring Workshop
Gibson Woods Saturday, February 25 9:30 – 11 a.m. Age 18+ Free
Butterfly monitors are needed in NW Indiana. The Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network is looking for volunteers in Indiana to establish an Indiana chapter. Participants will learn how to identify butterflies that are common to our region. Training is free and open to all who are interested. A beginner checklist will be provided. Instructions on how to map your route using Google Earth are available on the IBMN website: www.bfly.org. Registration is required. Call 219-844-3188.
Bird Monitoring Workshop
Gibson Woods Saturday, March 24 1 – 3 p.m. Age18+ Free
The Bird Monitoring Network, Lake County Parks (IN), Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Dunes-Calumet Audubon, The Nature Conservancy and Shirley Heinze Land Trust invite you to a workshop for current and prospective bird monitors. Monitors are needed at many sites and maps will be provided. Anyone interested is invited to attend this free workshop. Register by calling: 847-328-1250 ext. 15 or by email to jpollack@audubon.org. Updated information about the workshop will be posted on the BCN website: www.bcnbirds.org.
Hoosier Riverwatch Workshop
Gibson Woods Saturday, April 28 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Age 18+ Free
Register early – Deadline is April 25 – Space is limited to 12 participants Call 219-844-3188
Volunteers are needed to monitor streams and rivers in Indiana for water quality. Participants will learn how to conduct chemical tests, calculate water flow, identify invertebrates, record data and enter the findings on to the data base. Information from the data base is used to monitor trends in the water quality of Indiana’s waterways. The Hoosier Riverwatch workshop will provide you with the resources and skills needed to become a part of this important project. Dress for the weather including waders or shoes that can get wet and bring a sack lunch with a drink.
For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)
Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30